(Jamaica Observer) The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has withdrawn the Jamaican team from the World Relays just days after they named a 39-member team for the two-day championships set for Silesia, Poland, May 1-2, it was announced yesterday.
The press release cited “existing travel restrictions, routing” and also the “SARS COVID-19 pandemic”, saying “it has become extremely challenging for the Jamaican team and officials to participate.”
Double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, who was named as part of the 39-member team, expressed disappointment with the decision but outlined her own issues with travelling during the pandemic last year.
“The cancellations are disappointing but beyond our control,” she said on social media. “Last year we had similar issues with travel. I remember our return flights took us to London then Barbados then back to Jamaica which was very hectic because of the pandemic.”
